In brief: Special Issue on Computational Modelling; Economics of Ore Sorting; Gold Mining to be suspended in Thailand

Special Issue on Computational Modelling Published

Volume 90 (May 2016) is a special issue of Minerals Engineering containing nine selected papers from last June's Computational Modelling '15 conference in Falmouth. This volume is edited by Pablo Brito-Parada.

MEI's computational modelling series attracts a small but highly focused group of researchers to Falmouth every two years. Computational Modelling '17 will be held next June, as always back to back with Physical Separation '17.

 

Understanding the Economic Impact of Ore sorting

Among the ten papers published in the special Minerals Engineering issue of Physical Separation '15 is a highly topical one dealing with ore sorting, which is attracting more and more interest particularly in reducing energy consumption in comminution circuits. A joint paper from Orchard Material Technology, USA, and Steinert Elektromagnetbau, Germany, suggests that a major barrier to widespread implementation of electronic sorting in hard rock mining is a knowledge gap: sorting equipment manufacturers have made modest footholds in the mining industry, while miners and plant operators are largely unaware of recent developments and the state-of-the-art technology. Most importantly, a widespread understanding of how ore sorters can be implemented and their significant economic impacts is lacking. The impacts of ore sorting on the economics and the process flow sheet of an existing semi-autogenous milling circuit of a US copper mine are discussed in the paper.

Gold mining to be suspended in Thailand

As we all know, metal prices have suffered badly over recent times, and there is little light at the end of the tunnel, as May has seen a further slump in all the major metal prices.

Gold is the only metal which has fared reasonably well over the past year, so it was ironic to see that the Thai government has resolved not to renew or issue gold mining licences, such that the gold mining business can be suspended by the end of this year. The Bangkok Post reports that the suspension is to allow improvements to make the operations more environmentally friendly. New jobs will be found for 1,000 workers and affected residents will receive medical treatment and be rehabilitated. The resolution follows complaints about Akara Resources plc's mining in Phetchabun, Phichit and Phitsanulok provinces, where check-ups on local residents found many people had heavy metal in their bodies.

 

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